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Primary Documents - Dutch Newspaper Editorial Against the Terms of the Paris Peace Conference, May 1919

With Germany's decision to
seek an
armistice - or face domestic as well as military collapse -
arrangements were set in place to convene a peace conference in Paris; the city was unanimously selected by the Allied powers.

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The conference began
somewhat belatedly in mid-January with opening addresses from many of the
key Allies.

Dutch Algemeen
Handelsblad Editorial on the Treaty of Versailles, June 1919

The peace conditions imposed upon Germany are so hard, so humiliating, that even
those who have the smallest expectation of a "peace of justice" are bound to be
deeply disappointed.

Has Germany actually deserved such a "peace"? Everybody
knows how we condemned the crimes committed against humanity by Germany. Everybody knows what we thought of the invasion of Belgium, the submarine war,
the Zeppelin raids.

Our opinion on the lust of power and conquest of Germany is
well known. But a condemnation of wartime actions must not amount to a lasting
condemnation of a people. In spite of all they have done, the German people is a
great and noble nation.

The question is not whether the Germans have been led by
an intellectual group to their destruction, or whether they are accomplices in
the misdeeds of their leaders - the question is, whether it is to the interest of
mankind, whether there is any sense in punishing a people in such a way as the
Entente governments wish to chastise Germany.

The Entente evidently desires the
complete annihilation of Germany. Not only will the whole commercial fleet be
confiscated, but the shipbuilding yards will be obliged to work for the
foreigner for some time to come.

Whole tracts of Germany will be entirely
deprived of their liberty; they will be under a committee of foreign
domination, without adequate representation.

The financial burden is so heavy
that it is no exaggeration to say that Germany is reduced to economic bondage. The Germans will have to work hard and incessantly for foreign masters, without
any chance of personal gain, or any prospect of regaining liberty or economic
independence.

This "peace" offered to Germany may differ in form from the one
imposed upon conquered nations by the old Romans, but certainly not in essence. This peace is a mockery of President Wilson's principles. Trusting to these,
Germany accepted peace. That confidence has been betrayed in such a manner that
we regard the present happenings as a deep humiliation, not only to all
governments and nations concerned in this peace offer, but to all humanity.

These conditions will never give peace. All Germans must feel that they wish to
shake off the heavy yoke imposed by the cajoling Entente, and we fear very much
that that opportunity will soon present itself. For has not the Entente
recognized in the proposed so-called "League of Nations" the evident right to
conquer and possess countries for economic and imperialistic purposes? Fettered
and enslaved, Germany will always remain a menace to Europe.

The voice and opinion of neutrals have carried very little weight in this war. But, however small their influence and however dangerous the rancorous caprice
of the Entente powers may be to neutrals, it is our conviction and our duty to
protest as forcibly as possible against these peace conditions.

We understand
the bitter feelings of the Entente countries. But that does not make these peace
conditions less wrong, less dangerous to world civilization, or any less an
outrage against Germany and against mankind.

A 'corkscrew' was a metal post for supporting a wire entanglement, with a twisted base enabling it to be screwed into the ground, removing the need for a hammer, the use of which could attract enemy fire.